Poor funding, threat to functional education, says VC

The Vice chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba (AAUA) Ondo State, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun has identified poor funding as a major threat to achieving a functional, comparable education in the country.

Prof. Ajibefun who stated this while receiving members of the Ondo State House of Assembly Committee on Vocational, Technical and Tertiary Education, who visited the campus on a familiarisation tour lamented that inadequate funding hinders the sector from being globally competitive.

He said, “Poor funding of Nigeria’s educational sector causes setbacks for its inherent ability to compete globally. Adequate funding is inevitable if the country must compete with her peers in the sector in foreign countries, while universities must be up and doing in finding creative ways of sourcing funds.

Besides the funds made available by government, the vice chancellor tasked parents, corporate organisations and wealthy individuals to rise to the challenge and support the government in funding the sector to make it globally relevant.

Prof Ajibefun while commending the committee on its visit said the university strives to always give its best, producing the best in the various fields even in the face of dwindling economy and meagre resources.

He explained that universities need good facilities to inject the best skills that would enable students have relevant skills and compete globally.

On his part, the committee chairman, Bankole Felemu commended the level of infrastructural development in the institution, especially the senate building, which he described as one of Nigeria’s best.